Card feeder



Feb. 25, 1941. N. s. WELK -CARD FEEDER original Filed July 26, 1939 3 Sneeuw-Shea# 1 Il lllllllr.

INVENTOR. /VfLso/v 5. WELK ATTORNEY.

Feb. 25, 1941E N. s. WELK [2,233,150

CARD FEEDER Original Filed July 26, 1939 n 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N. s. wr-:LK

CARD FEEDER Feb. 25, 1941.,

Original Filed July 26, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5- INVENTOR M fLsoN .5. WELK l ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,233,150 'CARD FEEDER Nelson S. Welk, Athens, Ohio,

assignor to 'ulhcr McBee Company, Athens. Ohio, a corporation of Ohio original application 'July 2s, y1939, serial No. 286,570. Divided ana this application April 2, 1940, Serial No. 327,415 i' '10 Claims.

My invention relates to that class of machines I which is designed to count record cars, checks,

coupons and the like, such as described in my copending application, Serial No.. 286,570, of which this is a division.

In feeding devices for machinesof this character it has been vfound that where they rely upon the force of gravity, due to the weight of the cards, to produce the feed, the feeding in certain instances is irregular as the weight of the stack gradually diminishes, because the cards are fed from the bottom of the stack.

Moreover, in machines of the type described in my copending application above referred to, Where the cards, checks, etc.` are to be counted, it is absolutely essential that the cards, checks, etc. be fed singly at all times. i

The principal object of my invention is to provide a construction which will overcome this objection and will insure uniform feeding of the cards in the stack.

ill

My invention has for its further object to provide a feeder which can be readily adjusted to care for different sizes of cards, checks, and the like which are to be counted.

Practice has shown that in machines of this type, it is essential that the cards be held at an angle so as to produce a bevelled arrangement so that the front edge of the lowermost card will be somewhatA in advance of the remaining cards. and this angle is critical. Considerable time has been lost in machines of this character in making this adjustment of the supporting plate.

My invention has for its further object to provide a construction s that once the critical anglev is determined, the supporting platecan be shifted to accommodate various sizes of cards, checks and the like without at all c hangingor altering the angle of inclination.

I am aware that there have been patents such, for example, as United States Letters Patent to La Bombard No. 1,352,284, which provides for locking the angle of inclination of the card supports, which are two in number. But in the construction disclosed in that patent, there is no means provided by which the two pins illustrated, which form the card support, can be moved as a unit with the result that the advantages obtained by locking the pins in the desired angle 'of inclination is entirely lost. Whereas, by the use of my improved construction, as will appear from the hereinafter contained description, once the angle of inclination has been determined, no further adjustment is necessary with respect to the angle of the plate with relation to the stack,

regardless of the movement required to suit various sizes of cards.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may vbe more fully comprehended by having reference to the accompanying drawings 5 which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fragment of the machine shown in the parent application hereinbefore referred to;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the same machine showing my improved invention which is the subject matter of this application;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the operation of the machine showing the preliminary stacking of the cards on the conveyor belt, a card ready to be counted and theA feederr mechanism which forms the subject matter of this' application.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire specification.

As shown ln the drawings I provide two 'rods I and 2 whichare slidably mounted in brackets 2' cast or formed on the frame of the machine of which I have only shown a fragmentary portion as obviously the frame forms no part of the invention herein set forth. The rods I and 2 are connected at the front end by a cross rod 3 which carries an inclined adjustable card support 4 which supports the cards as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

YPractice vhas shown that by constructing the card support withoutl a bottom plate,the cards rest to the fullest extent upon the main feed roll I5 and the auxiliary rolls I3 and I4. Wherl the y bottom card is carried rearwardly by the main feed roll I5 even to a slight degree it is removed from the Support 4 and is free to approach an approximate horizontal position.

This cardv support is provided with a sliding weight 5 which adds to the force of gravity for feeding the cards. This sliding Weight 5 is arranged to bear upon the rearward margin of the cards only. This sliding weight 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is tapered downwardly and outwardly to facilitate the loading of the machine. When loading, the front edge of the cards rests temporarily upon this tapered surface. The weight 5 is then raised sufficiently for the cards to drop into position. This construction has been found in practice to lessen ,the time required for loading. It has been found in practice that in this way I am able to attain the most effective feeding, for the reason that since the sliding weight 5 never varies, the amount of gravity exerted upon it never varies regardless of the size of the stack.

'I'he card support 4, as clearly seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 is rotatably mounted upon the cross rod 3, so that its angle of inclination can be adjusted to any degree required. Provision is made to hold the card support in place once the adjustment has been made by a set screw 4' mounted in the hub of the card support 4.

Practice has shown that it is necessary to vary the angle of the plate 4 to suit various kinds of card stacks because if the angle of the plate is too sharp or not vsharp enough, it will prevent the proper feeding of the cards from the stack. By mounting the inclined card support 4 upon the cross rod 3 which is slidable with rods I and 2, once the proper angle of inclination is determined, it can always be maintained regardless of the size of the cards to be counted.

Because the rods I and 2 are parallel, it necessarily follows that when the c ross rod 3 is moved at all, both of the ends of rod 3 will at all times travel uniformly so that there will be no danger vofv twisting the card support 4 thus changing the angle of inclination. y

The forward edges ofthe ca rds contact locating plates 1 and 8 which are adjustably mounted on a rod 9. These plates are provided'with hubs which may be cast or formed thereon or readily attached by Welding or any other convenient method of securing them to the plates. Set screws I0 and II are provided to secure the locating plates onA rod 9 in the correct position to suit the width of the cards which areto be counted.

Angle plates I2 are attachedlto the locating plates 'l and 8 by screws or i-n any other suitable or convenient manner. These plates are utilizedto limit the forward movement of the cards.

'I'he front edge of the cards rests upon the periphery of two auxiliary rolls I3 and I4 which are designed to support the ends cf-the cards. These rolls are slidable on the shaft I6 on which 4they are mounted to provide for various sizes of cards. In practice I have found it desirable to corrugate the periphery of these right and left rolls I3 and I4. The cards are preferably fed by a feed roll I5 which is approximately the same diameter a's the right and left rolls I3 and` I4.'

In practice I havefound that this roll should be substantiany' 1% inchesvwide. It is located centrally between the auxiliary support rolls I3 and I4. The feed roll I5 may be provided with a cover of medium soft tough rubber.` If sc constructed, this rubber should be approximately M1 able or convenient manner inch -in thickness or it may be found desirable to makethe roll entirely of rubber. Both the feed roll I5 and rolls I3 and I4 are carried by a shaft which passes through a bearing formed in the side plates or panels of the machine. A gear II is flxedly secured to an end of the shaft I5 to drive the feed roll I5 and.supporting rolls 'I 3 and I4. This gear I'I may b driven in any suitiot shown) The operation A stackof cards of approximately ve hundred in number are placed on a flat surface and jagged until their edges arev even. The cards are jogged preferably when held at an vangle to their face, thus providing a fanned or bevelled arrangement for loadingv on the inclined surface of the weight 5 which slides on the jfront dinally adjustable means'permittingffth of the card support 4. The locating plates 1 andv 8 are then adjusted on the cross rod 9 to suit the width of the cards which are'v to be counted. When -this adjustment is made, the locating plates are retained in their position by means of the set screws I0 and I I 'I'he auxiliary rolls I3 and I4 are then spaced the proper distance apart to suit the size of the cards to be-counted. They are then fastened on the shaft I6 by means of screws provided for thatpurpose. Preferably these rolls I3 and I 4 are provided with corrugated surfaces. and when in proper position serve to keep the cards balanced. 'Ihe Toughened surface of these rolls supplements the feeding action of the main feed roll I5. The weight A5 is elevated on the card support 4 until it restson the margin of the top'card of the stack 6'.

'Ihe machine should then be turned manually, enough rotations to determine that the angle of inclination for the support plate 4 has been correctly determined. Once this angle of inclination is' obtained, the set screw 4' is tightened up and the support plate as far as its angle is concerned becomes permanent. This angle of inclination will vary with the character, quality or type of cards, checks, etc. which are to be counted, and I have found in practice that considerable time is saved by determining the angle of 'inclination for the support plate 4 by manual operation of the machine before starting it to count, but as stated, once the correct angle is determined, the feeding of a single lcard is insured.

The locating' plates 1 and 8 having been ading parts are revolved. 'I'he frictional contact of the rubber surface of thefeed roll I5 against the .bottom card of the stock of cards 6, will cause the' bottom card to be fed rearwardly. 'I'his friction is materially increased by means of force of gravity acting upon the weight of the cards on the stack and is` supplemented by the sliding weight 5.

Although I have describedvwith some degree of particularity the specific construction for the adjustment of the card support, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the illustration -and description is furnished solely 'for the purpose of describing a concrete vembodiment c. my invention, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such specific construction eX- cept as such limitations may appear in the hereinafter contained claims.

Having described my linvention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a card counting machine,1an adjustable card support, means to adjust the angle of inclination of said support, means to lock said adjustment when made, andmeansA permitting the shifting of the position of said support without changing said inclination, said means comprising laterally spaced guide means, cooperating guide means on which said support is mounted whereby the support `can be adjusted longitlifdinally. 2. In a card counting machine, an inclined ifting of the ,position of said supportwithoutl changing justment when made, laterally spaced l said inclinatiomand simplemental means mount- 4 ed and slidable on said support to pressjthe cards dovnwardly, adapted to contact the edge of said car s.

.3. In a card counting machine, a pair of longitudinally adjustable parallel rods, a cross rod rigidly secured to said parallel' rods, a card support adjustably mounted on said cross rod, means to lock said support on said cross rod at predetermined angles, whereby said support .can be longitudinally adjusted.

4. In a card counting machine, a cross rod, a

card support rotatably mounted thereommeans to lock said support at predetermined angles,-

means permitting the shifting of both nds of the cross rod in unison whereby the card support can shifted without varying its angle.

5. In a card counting machine having a pair of rollers to support the cards, a feed roller in-4 termediate said pair`of rollers; a pair of locating plates, means to adjust said plates laterally, a

vcross rod, acard support adjustably mounted port, means to lock said supporty in predetermined angles, cooperating means on which .said vcard support is mounted whereby the card support can be shiited longitudinally without varyins its angle.

7. In a card counting machine, a cross rod, a single card support adjustably mounted thereon,

means to lock said support in predetermined j angles, a pair of parallel rods, guides on.A which said parallel rods slide whereby the card support and the cross rod can beI shifted longitudinally without varying its angle of inclination.

8. In a card counting machine, a card support mounted o n -meanswrigidly carried by spaced longitudinally adjustable means, means permitting the adjustment of the angle of. inclination of said support, means to lock said adjustment when made, means to shift the position of said support without changing said inclination, a pair of locatingplates oneon each side of said support, and' means permitting the adjustment of the said plates to the various widths of cards.

9. In a card counting machine, a card support, means permitting the adjustment of the angle of inclination of said support, means to lock said adjustment when made, means to shift the position of said support without changing said inclination said means comprising laterally spaced guide means, cooperating guide means on which said support is mounted whereby the support can beadjusted longitudinally, and a weight the outer surface of which tapers downwardly and outwardly slidably mounted onfsaid inclined support the lower portion of which is' adapted to contact the edge of said cards when in position.

10. In a cardl counting machine having a'pair of rollers to support the cards, means permitting the adjustment of the position of "said rollers, a feed roller intermediate said pair o'f rollers; a pair of locating plates, means permitting the adjustment of the said plates'laterally, a cross rod, a card support adjustablyy mounted thereon,

means to lock said 'support in predetermined angles, parallel rods to which said cross rod is secured, guides on which parallel rods'with the cross rod slide-whereby the card support can be shifted without varying its angle.

- NELSON s. WELK. 

